Kids at Burning Man?

"""Going off on a general tangent directed towards anyone and everyone: Kidsville is not an on-playa sitter camp that you can dump your kids off at while you head out to play. I wanted to toss that out there in case anyone lurking might be thinking that."""

But how about homeless Russians? Can we drop them off? They always get lost from our camp, when people leave them leave them with us.

Hey Das
Not to bad, working way to many hours but thats ok. Mom shut the dairy down, so no more cheese to make, caught me off guard on that one.
GAWD brewed up 180 gallons of cider last fall, I have 30 gallons made. Thinking of what beers I need to get started on now. LOL have already out in for my vacation this year so Hopefully I won't get fucked on my days like last year.

This year will be my son Dexter's 5th burn and he's six. Our calendar year revolves around the burn, and Dex looks forward to it more than Christmas. He's a burner year round, wears his outfits and does something creative almost every day. His teacher brags that she has a burner in her class.

It think it's probably easier to expose younger kids to the Black Rock scene, because they still make innocent assumptions. If Dex sees a couple in a passionate embrace, he says "Hey they're kissing" and giggle, no big deal. If he sees a giant penis art car, he's thrilled because he has a penis, no big deal. He's so used to seeng nudity, that it seems natural and he loves to be naked too! The casual nudity helps balance the hypocritically-prudish standard that American culture promotes, and teaches him that there is no shame in the human form. It's not like a "Girls Gone Wild" video.

Sure, there are some wild things kids will see, but probably no more sex or adult behavior than they see on TV and movies, and no violence. It also helps to camp away from 'adult content' neighborhoods. And if anything, it sparks questions and begins useful conversations about sex, drugs, creativity, acceptance and the individualism. The overall experience allows him to expand his idea of creativity and acceptance. And where else would a kid get to wear a costume every day, and get the best gifts from generous burners. Kids really do get the best stuff. We've met some of the nicest people, adults and kids, because of Dexter.

As far as being safe, it's totally managable. Just because you go to Burning Man, doesn't mean you stop being a sensable parent for a week. Use common sense, read everthing on prep and do it, especially sunscreen, water and putting ID tags on your kids. Dex was 16 months at his first burn, and sure it took more prep but not much more. We kept him hydrated, cool, fed and out of the sun, all without an RV. And we were able to see just as much of Black Rock with a bike trailor.

In todays harsh world of gotta-have-it-consumerism and excessive-wealth-celebrititus, getting exposed to the generousity and creativity of the Black Rock community will give you and your kids a sense of what's real and new kind of hope for human-kind. You will all come back with a new appreciation for the ease of daily life, indoor plumbing and your local garbage-man. It will likely alter how you manage your footprint on the world, a great lesson for kids. Thats a good thing because our survival as a species depends on future generations changing how we live.

About a month ago, Dexter asked that dreaded question, '"Can we go to Disneyland? All my friends have been." My answer was, "We get to go to Burning Man for vacation instead. How many of your friends get to go to Burning Man?". I also compared how Burning Man is a gift society, and Disneyland is pure consumerism, where all we'd do is spend money. He thought about it for a while, then asked "How long until we go to Burning Man?" He has asks that question every day since.

We'll continue to take Dex to Black Rock as long as he wants to go. When get gets older, he won't have the culture shock that other 13-year old burners may experience as newbies. It's best seven-day life-education you'll find anywhere. Come by and ask Dexter, he'll tell you himself.

I took my 2 year old to Burningman last year (she turned 3 on Friday, 9/1 and was on the stage in Center Camp for the Kidsville presentation when all of the Burners watching sang "Happy Birthday to You!" to her) She LOVED Burningman. The day of her birthday I asked her "Would you like to go to Disneyland for your Birthday when we get home? (we live close by so have an Annual Pass). She emphatically said "NO-I want to go to Burningman!"

When we were all packed up and leaving, she was crying "But I don't want to leave! I want to stay here forever!"

It was incredible to see BRC through a child's eyes. She got to see a marvelous world composed completely of art and people's incredible creativity. She got to see a society of people who genuinely loved and cared for each other, who were not afraid of the strangers around them, and who hugged "Hello" instead of just nodding at each other like out here in the default world. She got to experience generosity from people we didn't know that we didn't have to pay for-a rare thing in today's world-a gift while standing in line for ice-a lovely little blinky light fan and a glowing batman necklace given to her on the night of the Burn by a nice guy passing by, a ride on that marvelous Carousel at the end of 5:30 on the Esplanade, a chance to slide down the pole on a prate ship art car and to ride on an amazing swing near Center Camp, the chance to ride on some of the art on the Esplanade and run circles around the man in that observation tower they had around him. An Art Car (thanks Kelly!) came by twice to take us out to the art on the edge of the city, a steam locomotive came by every day to bring the kids snowcones, and some great people in Kidsville brought trampolines so she could wear a fluffy skirt and bounce to her heart's content. There was also a sock puppet camp, a Pirate Story hour, and nightly "Drive In Movies" for the kids. At Center Camp "Captain Bubbles" did balloon animals and flowers for the kids and let them ride around on his amazing mini art cart.

I think it is important for our children to see the world in all it's diversity- I don't want her to grow up thinking our little slice of Suburbia is the only way to live. As for the nudity, I think there are more problems in cultures that try to cover up and hide the human body and sexuality (I have seen statistics that sexual assault cases are far higher in Muslim cultures, where the human body is covered from top to bottom, whereas the Scandinavian countries which are very relaxed about nudity in public have the lowest rates of sexual crimes).

We did not see any "public sex acts" but I have not seen them my other 2 years at Burningman so was not freaking out about them. If she had seen something I am sure it would not "scar her for life"....isn't most of the world made up of "Third World Countries" where whole families sleep in the same room? We have quite a few neighborhoods in our farming area down here with large families (17-23 people I've heard) all occupying a 1 bedroom apt. If a family has 9 kids, I imagine at least 1-8 of those kids have seen sex and it has not scarred them for life. I think trying to make it a secretive and taboo thing leads to pornography and sex problems and issues. So, that is not something I would freak out about or ask people to modify for my child's sake at Burningman!

On the other hand, I did not run into any of it, as I was not out running around the city looking for Jiffy Lube or The Temple of Atonement or someplace that is a little more alternative. I think you find what you are seeking in BRC-and we found kid friendly entertainment.

This year will be my kid's 3rd burn, and I must say, I consider it a personal accomplishment that my kids would rather go to Burning Man than Disneyland!

That being said, it has changed for them a bit, especially now that my older one is starting puberty. On the plus side, they see so much that there's really no mystery about the human body. I consider this a good thing.

The most important thing for my kids is that they know what [b]our family values [/b]are, and what is and isn't acceptable according to those values.

Early introduction to playa culture has definitely contributed to their independent natures. It has also made them understand the concept of being a responsible citizen. They've learned life-long lessons out there. This I know.
[img]http://new.photos.yahoo.com/clarisaroberts/album/576460762317304030/photo/294928803145892029/3[/img][/i]

I just returned home from our first burn, and I was with a couple who had their 7-year-old daughter along for the trip. It was amazing how many people came up to us to talk with Reese, to offer her special gifts and water. She had the time of her life, and really her main source of entertainment during the hot days spent in the shade was a spray bottle filled with water. It was fabulous for the adults as well, because she would go around spraying all of us. I've got three little boys of my own, but wanted to experience my first burn with absolutely zero responsibilty, besides to myself and to my camp. However, looking back I know I'll never attend another burn without my family. I love what the playa does to people, and if my boys can experience it if only for a week out of the year, I would feel selfish to NOT share that with them.

Have a Very Merry UnBirthday party and have the kids personalize their own cupcake with a variety of frostings, sprinkles, etc. available. Would be pretty moopy, but you could contain it inside of a tent.

Okay, so ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah?

Have a Very Merry UnBirthday party and have the kids personalize their own cupcake with a variety of frostings, sprinkles, etc. available. Would be pretty moopy, but you could contain it inside of a tent.

What if the kids decorated a cupcake and then gave it to someone they didn't know? There would have to be song. That would rock so hard! Hilarious.

"I made this cake for you...
Lets eat it and turn it into poo...
Because it is not my birthday too!"

Would this be done in Kidsville?

And what happens if it is a child's birthday. That can be rough when your day is taken away from you when you are a kid.

It is alot like sex,
Some people just don't get it

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Part of Shock the Karma Conglomerate
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I'm sure the people that put together Kidsville would welcome something to keep the kids busy so the parents can go do a little somethin' else.

Isn't Kidsville a collective village area, thus the Lounge could be part of Kidsville (am I thinking of this in the right terms?) That would certainly make someone think thrice not just twice about throwing propane in your burn cans if there's kids around.

P.S.: BTW, who's the Roman soldier? (I thought you were a chick!)

Okay, so ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah?

I do not think doing it in Kidsville is a good idea. I do not want to become a full time baby sitting service.
And kids go to bed way early and I don't,
and even though kids crack me up more than anyone else, I am not there parent. You with me.

It does sound wonderful to be able to drop your kid off for the week and play, but lets be realistic, I am going for fun. And as I can tell any parent, that type of work is thankless.

Let me refer with the "Chief" and see what he says.

It is alot like sex,
Some people just don't get it

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Part of Shock the Karma Conglomerate
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Looking back, I really have absolutely no idea why I thought that you were female. Anyway, nice pic! I woulda had mine up a while ago but I dunno how to get photos off my damn phone without getting a whole online access set-up. So I settled for a freeze-frame from a .gif that I really like. (I couldn't figure out how to shrink it to 80X80 and keep it animated.) This one:

Anyway, I wasn't necessarily suggesting that the Lounge be part of Kidsville (it is a BAR after all). But just bringing up the idea if you hadn't already.

Okay, so ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah?

Thanks for everyone being so kind to my daughter at last years burn. She so enjoyed every minute of the days we were there. We are going back this year with our own theme camp. She can't wait. Mini golf here we come!!!

"Follow the directions and directly you will be directed into the right direction" - Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland

[quote="waterlyric"]I just returned home from our first burn, and I was with a couple who had their 7-year-old daughter along for the trip. It was amazing how many people came up to us to talk with Reese, to offer her special gifts and water. She had the time of her life, and really her main source of entertainment during the hot days spent in the shade was a spray bottle filled with water. It was fabulous for the adults as well, because she would go around spraying all of us. I've got three little boys of my own, but wanted to experience my first burn with absolutely zero responsibilty, besides to myself and to my camp. However, looking back I know I'll never attend another burn without my family. I love what the playa does to people, and if my boys can experience it if only for a week out of the year, I would feel selfish to NOT share that with them.[/quote]

This is what I want to hear! I'm taking my 10 year old from the UK. First time for me and him. We have time to plan and that will be half the fun. Look forward to meeting others like us.

HAHAHAHA! Waterlyric is my cousin and she was camped with us this year :D Reese was so cute and she had a blast, although I'm still jealous of her cool Quiddich goggles.
I've been going to the Burn since I was 13 and I turned out fantastic! Even better tho cuz I was a really depressed little child until I went and it changed my life :)
My dad has been going since the year I was born, 1989 when the Burn was still in San Francisco.

Anywho, thanks for all the Emergen C this year, cuz! Between you and mama Erika I was one vitamin efficient little camper :)

I think anyone of all ages should go out to the desert. Remember passing by Kidsville and hearing laughter and jumping on trampolines...reminds you, too, that there is a child-like enthusiasm in all of us

COFFEE CAMP: "The Social Hub of the Uncivilized World"
"Remember- Drink coffee...it's for your own good"
"DRINK IT!"
"...it's only just begun."
"To Percolate & Serve."